Reason to Love Toronto: because MLSE launched a soccer academy
Why can’t a city full of diehard soccer fans turn out more world-class players? One reason is that until recently our best young players had to leave the country to go pro. Thankfully that changed when MLSE launched a European-style training academy to supply their soccer franchise, Toronto FC, with a steady stream of recruits plucked from the GTA’s myriad clubs. This summer, the academy moves into its permanent home—a brand new $21-million facility at Downsview Park that will be the envy of every soccer club on the continent. The complex features four pristine fields—three grass, one artificial—a 40,000-square-foot clubhouse, a fitness centre, meeting rooms, cushy locker rooms and a video analysis theatre. Toronto FC can sign the most promising senior players (academy kids don’t count against the team’s salary limit) or sell them to a competitor. Of course, MLSE has a well-earned reputation for filling top-level sports complexes with middling talent, so the important question is: are the kids any good? Thomas Rongen, the academy’s director, says yes. He’s a product of the illustrious Ajax Football Club (Amsterdam, not Durham Region) and a former coach of the U.S. under-20 team. “There’s at least one or two future $10-million players over there,” he said recently, nodding confidently toward the kids. For the struggling TFC and its long-suffering fans, the future can’t come soon enough.
my son was in this – shambolic. if this is the ‘best’ we can do, well, good luck people. the average british kid has higher standard play in their local park.
Hi Peachy,
Could you please explain further…i was seriously considering Toronto FC for my child.
thanks!
It’s a start and we should all be patient.